Propagating 'Blue Rug' Juniper from Cuttings: A Two-Year Project or Buy Liners?

Rooting Juniper Cuttings: Patience Required

Rooting cuttings from mature 'Blue Rug' junipers is entirely possible, but it's a slow process. Expect to wait two years before cuttings develop into plantable shrubs. For a project requiring hundreds of plants, purchasing rooted liners from a wholesale nursery is far more efficient and economical—often under $1 per plant.

How to Root Juniper Cuttings

1. Take 4–6 inch semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early fall.
2. Remove lower needles, dip the base in rooting hormone (0.1–0.3% IBA).
3. Stick in a well-draining medium (1:1 perlite:peat) under intermittent mist.
4. Maintain high humidity and bottom heat (70–75°F) for 8–12 weeks until roots form.
5. Harden off gradually, then grow in containers for 12–18 months before transplanting.

Better Option: Buy Wholesale Liners

Contact the Georgia Green Industry Association for a list of member nurseries selling juniper liners. Attend their WinterGreen trade show in January to meet growers, compare prices, and select vigorous, uniform plants. Lakeview Nursery is one reputable source for liners.

Transplanting Success

Whether home-rooted or purchased, plant liners in well-drained soil on your slope, spacing per mature spread. Water regularly until established. In a few years, you'll have a cohesive, erosion-controlling groundcover.